Due to the Obama Administration’s renewal of diplomatic relations with Cuba, Cuba is back in the news.

As usual, there is an alarming amount of misinformation — and stupidity — circulating that has me looking like this at my desk:

and wanting to do this:

Let’s address some of the most common arguments heard in favor of relations — vs the truth.

“The embargo hasn’t worked in five decades — don’t you think it’s time to try something new???”

A fair enough point. But let’s look at this with the right information. The fact is saying the embargo “hasn’t worked” is inaccurate, since its sole goal was never to topple the regime: the embargo has been successful in (1) helping to stop Cuba from spreading its ideology and its terror elsewhere in the world, and (2) preventing the Cuban regime from using Americans’ cash to fund repression (unless, of course, you’re cool…